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Richard Dunne says John Stones has improved his concentration and strength under Pep Guardiola and believes those attributes have set the Manchester City defender on course to become one of the best defenders in world football.

The centre-back, who signed for City from Everton in 2016, drew criticism during the early stages of his career at the Etihad after a series of high-profile errors but has asserted himself in Guardiola's first-choice centre-back pairing this season.

The 24-year-old, who reached the semi-finals of the World Cup with England last summer, has a Premier League and Carabao Cup medal to his name from his Blues career to date and Dunne believes the defender has matured well under Guardiola's tutelage.

“I think he has the potential [to be world-class],” the former City captain told mancity.com. “When he’s playing with England, they’re helping him by building a side around him.

“He was unfairly criticised when he first came because he was young and he was bound to make mistakes. It takes time to fit into what Pep wants from him.